​Best Time to Visit – Madagascar

Philip Briggs
Expert
By Philip Briggs

Philip is a renowned Africa expert and author of many guidebooks to African destinations, including the Insight guide to Madagascar.

Philip is a renowned Africa expert and author of the Insight Guide to Madagascar.

Philip is the author of the Insight Guide to Madagascar.

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Although good from May to December, the warm and relatively dry conditions from September to November are ideal for beach holidays. At higher altitudes, the cool, dry months, from May to October, are best for hiking. However, the coldest months, June to September, are not as good to see some animals. The shoulder months (April, May, October and November) are best for serious wildlife viewing. January to March, the height of the Wet season, is best avoided.

Best Time April, May and September to November (Less rain, good wildlife viewing)
High Season July, August and December holidays (Popular parks get crowded)
Low Season January, February, March (Low-season rates might apply, less busy)
Best Weather April, May, October and November (Mild weather, less rain)
Worst Weather January to March (Wettest months)

May to October –Dry Season –Winter

  • Beaches are lovely during September and October
  • Less rain and the forest paths are drier
  • Many lemurs have babies in October
  • Reptiles and some mammals are less active from June to September
  • It gets cold at night in some areas
  • Popular parks get busy from July to August

Wildlife Photos

View Photos (25)
+23 Photos Want to Visit

November to April –Wet Season –Summer

  • Orchids bloom from January to March
  • September to December are the best bird-watching months
  • Reptiles and some mammals are more active
  • Some parks become inaccessible from January to March
  • January to March is the cyclone season on the east coast
  • It rains a lot in some parks and the humidity is high
  • Forest paths can become very muddy and slippery

Wildlife Photos

Aye-aye eating a coconut
Fossa in forest
+23 Photos

Best Time to Go to Madagascar by Major Park

Most parks offer year-round wildlife viewing. Parks such as Andasibe-Mantadia, Ranomafana and Masoala, located in the central highlands and on the east coast, are at their best April, May, October and November. At this time it doesn’t rain too much, and wildlife viewing is at its peak. The dry southwest, including Berenty PR, tends to be very hot from December to March, so is best visited from April to November.

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